The Scoop: Holidays in Katikati

Creative BOP took a trip to Katikati this week to get the lowdown on everything creative happening over Christmas and the summer holidays! Here’s The Scoop, just for you…

Santa’s Christmas Grotto at The Arts Junction

The team at The Arts Junction and Katch Katikati have joined forces with Katikati Theatre, Western Bay Library, Katikati Floral Art Group and Katikati Combined Churches to create Santa’s Christmas Grotto – a festive journey full of places to explore. You can visit Santa’s workshop and peek through the windows at what the elves are making, or hop on Santa’s sleigh! Pop on a gingerbread man suit or a fairy costume and take a photo in the enchanted forest, or pose with the nativity scene. Cosy up by the Christmas mantelpiece for story-time with Julia from the library, or visit the gingerbread house created by the Katikati Floral Art Group.

Santa will be in his Grotto on Tuesdays and Saturdays (10am – 12pm), and Fridays (4pm – 6pm). The Grotto is open from 13 December to 29 December, and will be open 9am – 4pm Monday to Thursday, 9am – 7pm Friday, and 10am – 2pm Saturday to Sunday. There will be a Wishing Well at the entrance for a koha. Follow the Facebook event for more info.

Fashion & Photography Exhibition: 1870s – 1960s

Head down to the Western Bay Museum, and you’ll be treated to a fabulous display of historical fashion. You can even dress up in authentic garments and take a photo in the old-school classroom or kitchen! The garments on display were generously gifted to the museum for this exhibition.

This exhibition is a MUST SEE and will run from December – April 2020.

“Glamour and elegance is shrouded by total tradition. As five of the garments on display in the Fashion division of the exhibition they are associated to weddings, you can discover the superstition and origin of many traditions dating back to Medieval and Roman times.”

Smashed Avocado! Competition

Avocados are in abundance, and what better way to feast upon them than by holding a culinary competition. Cafes across Katikati will be taking part in the Smashed Avocado Cafe Competition, on now until 13 January 2020. To be part of the fun, all you need to do is visit the participating cafes between Saturday 30 November – Sunday 12 January, sample the avocado dishes, and vote for your favourites. The winning cafes will be announced at the Katikati Avocado and Wine Festival on Saturday 18 January 2020. The cafes participating are: Cafe Viva, Central Park Bar and Kitchen, Chrome Cafe, The Lighthouse Cafe, Cafe at the Balcony, The Orchard House Cafe, and The Talisman Hotel.

Katch Katikati Poetry Competition

It’s time to start thinking about the 2020 Katch Katikati Poetry Competition! Submissions close 30 April 2020, so now is the perfect time to start brainstorming. The theme for 2020 is: Katikati Bypass, Katikati Main Street Traffic Congestion, Sacrifice of our town with Traffic Issues. Have your say about the traffic congestion and pollution that is crippling Katikati.

Entries are to be sent to The Arts Junction: 36 Main Rd, Katikati or info@katchkatikati.org.nz including the author’s name and contact details. All entries must be available for publication. All forms of poetry are accepted.

There are cash prizes to be won! First place will receive $500, second place $250, third place $100, and the junior winner will receive $100.
The finalists will be published in the Katikati Advertiser, and the winner will be announced in the Katikati Advertiser.

All entries will be published in a collation of poetry, and the book will be available for purchase from The Arts Junction.

Katikati Twilight Concerts

Katikati Twilight Concerts take place in the beautiful Haiku Reserve; an exceptional line up of summer concerts with top-of-the-line performers. There are three concerts coming up this summer:

HALO “The Best of British” – ‘There will be something for everyone when this seven piece band takes to the stage: you can expect to hear songs from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Elton John, Queen, Robbie Williams, The Pretenders and more … ‘ – Saturday 4 January, 6pm
The Jersey Boys – ‘Paul Madsen and his crew will take you on a trip down memory lane with the timeless sound of the Jersey Boys. Popular songs like Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man and Oh What a Night will have you up on your feet and dancing.’ – Saturday 25 January, 6pm
Anna Hawkins & Friends – ‘Anna has previously performed at Twilight Concerts and is always very popular with concert-goers. With her stunning stage presence sand a voice that has the power to impress and uplift, this will be a must-see show.’ – Saturday 8 February, 6pm

Follow the Facebook page to be kept up to date with upcoming concerts.

Coming up at the Carlton Gallery…

The Carlton Gallery in The Arts Junction is jam-packed with exhibitions this summer.

Now – 29 December: Christmas Expo
30 December – 12 January: Nancy Fraser
13 January – 26 January: Colleen Tetley
27 January – 9 February: Local Waihi Artists
10 February – 23 February: Denis and Dave

School holiday programmes

The Katikati Community Centre are taking a school holiday programme from 13 January to 5 February. Their holiday programmes offer a variety of activities including art, crafts, cooking, sports, games and free play. Kids have so much fun they often don’t want to leave! The Summer School Holiday Programme will be run in the Katikati Community Centre, 45 Beach Road Katikati.

Click here to find out more, and enrol!